Tips in Selecting The Right Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink is definitely the most used item in the kitchen, other than the stove. In additional to being useful, they can add drama and style to any kitchen design. Also since a quality sink will last 30 years or more, an important consideration of your remodel should be selecting a Franke kitchen sink.

The most traditional kitchen sink is made of stainless steel. Stainless steel became popular nearly 100 years ago because of its ability to fight corrosion. About the same time porcelain enamel was used for kitchen sinks. This enamel was fired onto a cast iron sink. People were encouraged to keep the porcelain white to be able to see dirt and debris more clearly on the white surface. Modern kitchen sinks are made of all kinds of materials, such as porcelain and corian.

While you might want to consider the color and style of your new sink, it is also important to think about how you will actually use your kitchen sink, in determining which type of sink will be best for your needs. For instance do you prefer a kitchen sink that has one large basin? This might be fine if you are always using a dishwasher. If you prefer to hand-wash your dishes, you might go with a two-or even a three-basin kitchen sink.

When making the decision on a new kitchen sink, durability and strength are important areas to consider depending on how you plan to use it, what your kitchen priorities are, and where the sink will be located.

There are so many styles of kitchen sinks to choose from today, from contemporary to rustic, in a large range of materials, colors and shapes.

Let us look at several kinds of kitchen sinks.

· Stainless steel – Popular choice for many homeowners. This material can go very well in a modern kitchen with clean lines. Stainless steel has the advantage of being easy to clean. Some disadvantages of this material is the fact that it can be easily dented and it can be noisy.
· Nickel, and Copper – Kitchen sinks can be made in other metals besides stainless steel. Metals sinks can be beautiful, but also more expensive. Nickel is the hardest of the two metals. At the current time copper is considered very popular. Copper requires no maintenance if it is a pure copper sink.
· Porcelain enamel on cast iron – This material is another popular choice for kitchen sinks because of its durability and it large range of quality, style, and colors. Porcelain enamel kitchen sinks usually last about 25 to 30 years or more. The surface of these type of kitchen sink is composed of ground glass melted and applied to the hot cast iron. This type of kitchen sink type is available for under mount, self-rimming, and tile-in installations. Because glass can easily break against this type of material it is necessary to use a sink mat.

There are five kinds of kitchen sink installation types that can used.

· Undermounted – The Franke  undermounted kitchen sink is attached underneath the countertop. This kitchen sink installation can be used to create a smooth look that is designed to blend with modern designs.

· Integral – This is where both the sink and countertop are made from one material. Therefore there are no noticeable seems on the surface. It is considered to be easy to maintain.

· Self-rimming – This type of Franke kitchen sink has a rolled edge that is mounted over the countertop. This type of sink will look good with any type of kitchen design, from traditional to contemporary.

· Rimmed – Rimmed kitchen sinks are the most common and the least expensive type of kitchen Franke  sink. It can have many uses, but does not bring much in the way of style to a kitchen.

· Tile-in – The tile-in kitchen sink is used with tile countertops. These types of sinks are intended to be used in situations where there is no visible separation between the sink and surface.

In selected your Franke  kitchen sink you need to consider how it will fit in with the style of your new kitchen décor. You need to consider the style of your home. For instance a big deep single porcelain enamel kitchen sink would look good in a farmhouse style of home. The tile-in kitchen sink would tend work well for a French Country or Tuscan style home.

Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.

Kitchen Sinks – Why Going With The Cheapest Is Not A Good Idea

Kitchen sinks, what do we know about them? We use and abuse them and they’re probably the most used plumbing fixture in your home. We know a garbage disposer usually hangs off of it into the cabinet. Other than that, it just sits in your kitchen ready to perform the duties assigned no matter how dirty of disgusting. After years of duty however, it becomes time to just retire the sink and get another one. Problem is that there are many materials you can choose from and how do you know what one is right for you? The answer of course is to understand what is important to you and how each of the kitchen sink materials stack up against your needs.

It’s no secret that we’re all short on time and having someone else do anything for you in your home is expensive. The point is that time is expensive no matter if it’s yours or you hire someone. With that in mind, remember that if you need to replace your sink every year or two because you bought cheap, the expense is in the labor.

The cheapest sinks today are stainless steel and pressed steel. The lower cost stainless and the pressed steel are also known as “apartment” grade. They call them this because apartment owners, looking for the cheapest prices tend to use these products. If you’re on a budget and your family are not heavy users of the kitchen sink, these may be an attractive alternative to more expensive materials. Be aware though that the pressed steel sink typically has a painted surface that scratches and chips easily. These sinks will tend to look old and outdated quickly due to the finish used. The stainless also scratches easily but if cared for correctly, it will continue to look acceptable. Cheaper stainless steel sinks tend to be made of thinner material which means that water being ran into them and the garbage disposal will sound a lot louder on these less expensive models. These sinks come in rimless and top mounted models.

A definite upgrade to these products is the cast iron kitchen sink. These sinks are made of casted metal them finished with a porcelain material giving them a deep and beautiful glow. The finish is long wearing and with a little occasional waxing, can look great for years. They come in a variety of colors and can be ordered in undercounter mounting or top mounting styles. These kitchen sinks however are heavy and much more difficult to install so unless you are extremely handy and have experience with these sinks, you will need an expert for installation.

Another sink material that seems to be gaining in popularity is the solid surface type material These are a durable material formed into a kitchen sink and tend to be more of a matte finish. This type of sink material goes especially well with more natural finishes in your kitchen. Although not as popular as cast-iron, these composite kitchen sinks are rapidly gaining a strong following.

Your kitchen sink is a well used piece of plumbing that deserves to be constructed of quality materials. Buying only on price will cause additional expense due to having to replace the unit much more often. So the best solution is to buy quality and have your Uncle Charlie install it for you.

A great brand is Franke. While they are not at the bottom of the cost scale, it is so worth it to get a quality sink. A ratty looking sink will ruin the look in the entire kitchen.  Saving a bit and getting that Franke Sink just make plain old sense.  Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs. Also, remember if you get a cheap sink and wanto to replace it ina year or two, you are faced with the cost of having a sink re-installed.  Best just to get a Franke Sink to begin with…

Selecting the Right Kitchen Sink

The sink is the busiest spot in your kitchen. Nearly every task begins or ends in its embrace, so choosing the right one for the way you will use it and the way it will look may be one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your kitchen. You may not feel you really need the new one that ‘cooks’, but you do want a sink that will serve you well and look terrific, while not requiring too much time to maintain.

The newest looks in sinks are those that compliment the latest trends in kitchen design; namely the ‘commercial’ or ‘professional’ look and the traditional Old World styling, two design trends that continue to run parallel to one another, closely followed by the nostalgia of ‘country’ .

After you choose the look you want to enhance your kitchen’s personality, there is still plenty to decide. Will you use stainless steel, porcelain, enamel or solid surface material? How about copper or brass? For more on sinks, go to Estimating Costs.

Stainless Steel – More popular than ever, the Franke stainless steel sink is the perfect compliment to the ‘professional’ kitchen that boasts stainless steel appliances. Easy care is a big plus. The quality of a stainless steel sink is measured by its gauge (the higher the number, the lower the quality), the amount of chromium and nickel it contains (the more, the better) and the sound control employed ( the more padding or coating the quieter. Tile and solid surface counters allow undermount installation for easy clean up – just push the wet and the mess right in with no lip or edge to collect debris or dampness. Laser embossing is available from some manufacturers to relieve the ‘too commercial’ look for use in more traditional settings, too.

Solid Surface – First used for easier care custom counter tops, sinks of solid surface materials have attained a close second in preference among consumers for upscale kitchens. These wonderful man-made composite materials present a quiet, easy to clean surface that is stain and scratch resistant. Solid surface sinks also allow for either surface or undermount applications and can be fabricated to create a completely smooth transition from a solid surface top with no discernable ridge or line where they are joined. Computerized cutting allows fabricators to create custom designs for both decorative and functional choices.

Porcelain – Still the number one choice for many consumers, there is nothing to compare with the gleaming surface of a quality Franke porcelain sink. Surprisingly durable, porcelain on cast iron sinks are available in bolder colors and more shades than any other material. Available in either undermount or surface mount styles, porcelain sinks are available in every imaginable style and with a wide variety of functional options and features.

Enamel – A less expensive alternative than others, except the most inexpensive stainless steel,  Franke enamel sinks are also less durable. Available in several colors and configurations enamel sinks do require more careful maintenance. But, top mounted models may be changed out with relatively little trouble, so enamel sink may be a better way to cut costs than with some more permanent choices for your kitchen like the cabinets. A good quality enamel sink may be expected to last for several years with a little loving care. Be sure not to scour with abrasive cleaners.

Other materials seen on today’s sink scene are Soapstone – a natural mineral substance, it is easy to care for, available in several color ranges (no two are alike) and in some of the most ‘now’ styles like extra deep farm sinks with wide apron fronts.

Copper or Brass – usually familiar as bar or ‘veggie’ sinks, these metals are sometimes chosen for kitchens planned in the Old World mode or for a ‘gourmet’ appearance.

Franke Sinks give all the options one would ever need for the kitchen of ones dreams. Which one  Franke Sink will best suit your needs?

Even a great sink, like a Franke sink can get clogged.  (After all it is the plumbing, not the sink that clogs! Franke Sinks with their exceptional quality would of course never clog were it up to them!!)

Below are some tips on keeping your sink unclogged. Yes, even your Franke Sink!!

Keep the Clogs Out of Your Kitchen Sinks

One day last week my kitchen sink got clogged, while frustrating I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal.

I just grabbed the Liquid Plumber I had bought for just such an occasion, and then presto. Nothing.

So we head off to Wal-Mart, my daughter in her jammies since she was just about to go to bed. I found the Draino, my daughter suggested to get two just in case and after the Liquid Plumber hadn’t worked I though maybe I better.

Tried it and it didn’t work, so then I decided to let it really have some time to work over night. Still in the morning a clog.

So I call a plumber and he had the clog fixed in no time, and he gave me a bit of advice that I am going to be using now.

He told me once a week to fill up both my Franke  sinks and then let the water out on both at the same time. He said the cyclonic action of the water would continue all the way through my pipes and keep me from having a clog.

He said as long as you don’t put a lot of grease down your drain you should never have a clog.

So I thought I would share this tip with all of you. I figure it doesn’t cost anything and takes less than 5 minutes so why not.

Another tip someone else had given me that I forgot to ask the plumber about is to take a can of salt every month and flush it down your toilet. They told me it would keep tree roots from growing toward your pipes. So since I have trees in my backyard I salt the toilet once a month too.

Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.

A sink means a lot more than what first meets the eye. A sink is part of ones everyday life and should therefore be selected with care.  We like the many styles of the Franke Sink. Franke Sinks always assure style, beauty and very importabltly, fantastic quality. You can find a Franke Sink for any style or need. Franke makes Farm Sinks, stainless steel sinks, and undermount sinks for granite counter tops. There is a Franks Sink for anyone’s need, and for many budgets.

Finding The Best Kitchen Sinks For Your Home

Kitchen sinks are an integral part of any kitchen, and selecting the right sink is vital for a number of reasons. When purchasing a sink for your kitchen you need to reckon about whether the sink will really fit in with the décor and style of your room, but you also need to reckon of the practical side such as ease of use and installation, features and accessories, and the quality of the sink you are plotting to buy. When you make your buy you want something that will not only look fantastic in your kitchen, but will also last a long time without the need for repair, will be energy efficient, and you may want to ensure that there are extra safety features, particularly if you have children. Selecting the right sink is a fantastic way of adding to your home improvement, and with such a wide range of designs ( http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/kitchen-designs.html ) and manufacturers to choose from you can delight in a fantastic range of stylish, classy, yet very practical sinks to suit your needs perfectly. Of course, it’s not just the kitchen that needs a sink – you may also want to take the same factors into consideration when buying bathroom sinks. Just like kitchen sinks, buying a sink for your bathroom entails getting something that look fantastic, fits in with the décor, yet offers practicality and high quality.

Delight in a fantastic choice of sinks

Never before have consumers had so much choice when it comes to finding the perfect furniture for the kitchen or bathroom, and you can delight in an brilliant range of designs from top quality manufacturers. Whether you are looking for a classic Franke  stainless steel sink for your kitchen or whether you want a ceramic and stylish sink for your cloak room or bathroom, you can delight in brilliant choice with sinks to suit all needs and tastes. You can also get a wide range of accessories that will enable you to make the most of your sink in terms of style and appearance, and also offer practicality. You can also get sinks that will fit in with a variety of budgets, so you can tailor your choice to suit your personal tastes, needs, and your pocket.

Make your kitchen stand out with the ideal sink

Because the sink is such a focal point in any kitchen, your choice of sink could really make a difference to this room. Try and go for something that will complement your countertops, décor, and theme, fitting in perfectly with the other furnishings in the room. But, don’t focus everything on the appearance – make sure you also take the functionality and practicality of the franks sink into account in order to get the best from this item of kitchen furniture. The perfect sink will not only look fantastic and help you to make the most of your kitchen, but will also make life simpler for you through its practical functions. The simple step of a new sink could help to give your kitchen a complete facelift.

There are SO many choices….  Franke Sinks are made to ensure you will find a sink that you will be pleased with.Be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.